KOTA KINABALU: The 29-year-old driver behind the trailer lorry involved in a fatal accident with a tour van that saw two tourists killed on Monday (March 11) has been arrested to assist investigations.
In a statement, Semporna OCPD Superintendent Mohd Farhan Abdullah said the case is being investigated under Section 41 (1) of the Road Transport Act 1987.
If found guilty, the accused, who is a local man, will be liable for no less than five years and not over 10 years of imprisonment and a minimum fine of RM20,000 not exceeding RM50,000.
“Those who have information about the incident may call the investigating officer at 012-3650021 or the Semporna police station at 089-782020, or any nearest station,” said Mohd Farhan.
Earlier, the Fire and Rescue Department reported that a Singaporean tourist, Lee Siong Huat, 60, and a Vietnam national, Ngo Trinh Buu Dung, 40, died on the spot in the mishap that happened at Km 21, Jalan Semporna-Tawau.
All four passenger tourists and the tour van driver who were injured were rushed to the district hospital.
According to the police statement, the fatal accident recorded at 3.30pm also involved another box truck.
“The collision happened because the trailer lorry lost control and went into the opposite lane, crashing into the oncoming tour van carrying five Singaporeans and one Vietnamese, aged 11 to 71.
“Due to the crash, debris flew to the front windshield of the box truck, which was located behind the trailer lorry, causing the box truck windshield to shatter.
“Both the trailer lorry and box truck drivers were not hurt,” added Mohd Farhan.
